Loss of Delta contract means end of era for Atlanta' ExpressJet

Loss of Delta contract for ExpressJet

2017 08 12

A regional airline in Atlanta will soon end its run as a longtime Delta Connection carrier, a major shift for a company that built its business around Delta.

Atlanta-based ExpressJet, formerly known as Atlantic Southeast Airlines or ASA, will not fly for Delta after late 2018.

ExpressJet has long been the largest Delta Connection carrier flying out of Atlanta, and operates about 4.8 percent of the flights out of Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.

It has recently added some flying for other carriers including American Airlines as American Eagle. ExpressJet also signed a large ERJ145 deal with United Airlines.

ExpressJet said it is “working to minimize employee reductions through natural attrition or transfer opportunities within our existing operations.”.

A timeline of ExpressJet’s history… from its beginnings as Atlantic Southeast Airlines through the growth of ExpressJet and its merger with Atlantic Southeast Airlines:

1979Atlantic Southeast Airlines acquires its first aircraft, a DeHavilland Twin Otter; opens a maintenance base in Columbus, Ga., and makes its first flight.

1982Atlantic Southeast makes its initial public stock offering.

1983Atlantic Southeast acquires the assets of Southeastern Airways.

1984Atlantic Southeast becomes the first Delta Connection carrier.

1993Bar Harbor, Rocky Mountain Airways and Britt Airways consolidate operations to form Continental Express as a single corporate entity operating under the Britt Airways certificate; the airline that would become ExpressJet is formed.